Virtual-scene control device

Abstract

A handheld device includes: an input control configured to control and modify a virtual scene including a virtual camera; and a display that shows a representation of the controlled and modified virtual scene generated by the virtual camera. A system includes: a computer system configured to execute program instructions for generating a virtual scene including a virtual camera; and handheld device configured to communicate with the computer system for controlling and modifying the virtual scene, the handheld device comprising: an input control configured to control and modify the virtual scene; and a display that shows a representation of the controlled and modified virtual scene generated by the virtual camera.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A handheld device that allows a user to control a virtual scene generated by a computer system, the virtual scene including one or more characters, a plurality of non-character assets and at least one virtual camera, the plurality of assets including one or more immoveable objects, moveable objects or self-propelled objects, the handheld device comprising:
 a body; 
 an I/O channel configured to enable the handheld device to communicate with the computer system that generates the virtual scene; 
 a display mounted on the body and configured to show a representation of the virtual scene as generated by the at least one virtual camera; and 
 one or more input controls operable to enable: (a) a first user-selected mode for recording images with a virtual camera of the at least one virtual camera in the virtual scene using the input controls, and (b) a second user-selected mode for selecting individual ones of the plurality of assets and moving the selected assets within the virtual scene and for selecting between different virtual lenses for the virtual camera. 
 
     
     
       2. The handheld device set forth in  claim 1  wherein the one or more input controls comprises at least one scroll wheel that, when an asset is not selected, allows the user to alternate between available virtual lenses by scrolling the wheel and then select a lens by clicking on the wheel. 
     
     
       3. The handheld device set forth in  claim 2  wherein the one or more input controls further comprises a first button that allows the user to select individual ones of the plurality of assets. 
     
     
       4. The handheld device set forth in  claim 3  wherein the one or more input controls further comprises a second button that allows the user to move a selected asset to the user's current location. 
     
     
       5. The handheld device set forth in  claim 4  wherein the one or more input controls further comprises a third button that allows the user to set a selected object to a location in the virtual scene that can be set by the user by placing a reticule at the location. 
     
     
       6. The handheld device set forth in  claim 1  wherein the one or more input controls comprises at least one scroll wheel that, when an asset is selected, moves the asset to a depth closer to or further from the at least one virtual camera. 
     
     
       7. The handheld device set forth in  claim 6  wherein a direction of movement of the selected asset in dimensions other than the depth from the at least one virtual camera can be regulated by movement of the handheld device. 
     
     
       8. The handheld device of  claim 1  wherein the one or more input controls are further operable to, after the asset has been selected, enable a user to move the asset closer to and further from the virtual camera as well as left and right and up and down within the virtual scene. 
     
     
       9. The handheld device of  claim 1  wherein the one or more input controls are further operable to place the handheld device into a third mode in which the input controls enable a user to attach a virtual camera to an object in the virtual scene such that the camera moves to the object and a temporary association is created so that the virtual camera undergoes the same or similar movement as the object. 
     
     
       10. A handheld device that allows a user to control a virtual scene generated by a computer system, the virtual scene including one or more characters, a plurality of non-character assets and at least one virtual camera, the plurality of assets including one or more immoveable objects, moveable objects or self-propelled objects, the handheld device comprising:
 a body having a camera form factor including a lens-like portion and a rotatable lens ring coupled to the lens-like portion; 
 an I/O channel configured to enable the handheld device to communicate with the computer system that generates the virtual scene; 
 input controls positioned on the body; 
 a display mounted on the body and configured to show a representation of the virtual scene as generated by the at least one virtual camera; and 
 a mode selection input control operable to place the handheld device into a first mode in which the handheld device is configured to enable the user to record images with a virtual camera of the at least one virtual camera in the virtual scene using the input controls, and a second mode in which the handheld device is configured to enable the user to use the input controls to select individual ones of the plurality of assets and move the selected assets within the virtual scene and to select between different virtual lenses for the virtual camera. 
 
     
     
       11. The handheld device of  claim 10  wherein the rotatable lens ring enables control of focus length of the virtual camera. 
     
     
       12. The handheld device of  claim 10  wherein the input controls further include motion sensors that enable a selected asset to be moved left/right and up/down within the virtual scene. 
     
     
       13. The handheld device of  claim 10  wherein the input controls are further configured to allow a user to place an aiming reticle at a chosen location in the virtual scene, and include a control that can be selected to place the selected asset at a location identified by the aiming reticle. 
     
     
       14. The handheld device of  claim 10  wherein the mode selection input control is further operable to place the handheld device into a third mode in which the input controls enable a user to attach a virtual camera to an object in the virtual scene such that the camera moves to the object and a temporary association is created so that the virtual camera undergoes the same or similar movement as the object. 
     
     
       15. A handheld device that allows a user to control a virtual scene generated by a computer system, the virtual scene including a plurality of virtual assets and at least one virtual camera, the handheld device comprising:
 a body; 
 an I/O channel configured to enable the handheld device to communicate with the computer system that generates the virtual scene; 
 a display mounted on the body and configured to show a representation of the virtual scene as generated by the at least one virtual camera; and 
 an input control operable to enable (a) a first user selected mode for recording images with a virtual camera of the at least one virtual camera in the virtual scene, and (b) a second user selected mode for selecting between different virtual lenses for the virtual camera; 
 wherein the input control comprises a scroll wheel that, when a virtual asset is not selected, allows the user to alternate between available virtual lenses by scrolling the wheel and then select a virtual lens by clicking on the wheel. 
 
     
     
       16. The handheld device set forth in  claim 15  wherein the input control comprises a first button that allows the user to select individual ones of the plurality of virtual assets. 
     
     
       17. The handheld device set forth in  claim 16  wherein a direction of movement of a selected asset in different dimensions from the at least one virtual camera can be regulated by movement of the handheld device. 
     
     
       18. The handheld device of  claim 15  further comprising at least one virtual button configured to be presented on the display, the virtual button configured to control an aspect on an application program that generates the virtual scene including the plurality of virtual assets and the virtual camera. 
     
     
       19. The handheld device of  claim 15  wherein the display comprises a touchscreen that enables a user to control or modify the plurality of virtual assets or the virtual camera included in the virtual scene.